Robert l



R. L. POE.

, SOUND REPRODUCING INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I6, I9-I7.

Patented Dec. 28,1920.

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SOUND REPRODUCING INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION mm JAN. 16,-1917.

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Dw R UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

ROBERT L. POE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 SHELLOPHONE TALKINGMACHINE (20., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SOUND-REPRODUCINGF INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1920.

apply a shell, such as a coiled or convolute sea shell of the conch orsimilar types. I have found such a convolute sea shell to be mostadvantageous when combined with a sound-reproducing machine, since thenatural sea shells are seamless in construction, and very highlypolished on their interior surface, the effect being, when joined to thetone arm of a talking machine, for example, to increase and clarifygreatly the transmitted sound. I more fully describe andexplain myinvention in the following specification, and have shown it in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a disk typeof talking machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation ofthe same. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a detail ofthe application of the shell to the continuation of the tone arm; and

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 4.

Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, 10 representsgenerally a talking machine box containing the usual motor mechanismindicated in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2 by numeral 11, the usual formof winding handle 12 being shown. A rotatable disk 13 is provided abovethe machine, upon which is carried the record 14. A reproducer 15,carried by the tone-arm 16, carries a needle, or the like, 17 restingupon the record and adapted to be vibrated thereby, as is well known.The tone-arm 16 is pivotally mounted in a sleeve 18, from which leadsdownwardly a non-rotating continuation of the tone-arm 16 constituting asound duct 19. The sound duct terminates in an 'angularly disposed elbow20, see Fig. 3,

atmosphere through the aperture or opening 10 in one side of the box 10.

When a record is being played upon this type of machine, the sound willbe conducted through the tone-arm 16, sound duct 19, through elbow 20,and into the innermost whorl of the shell 22, from whence it will travelabout the convolutions thereof until it emanates through the enlargedopening 22 to the atmosphere.

While I have illustrated my invention as embodied in a disk type ofmachine, it will be obvious that it is applicable to any of the well.known types of soundreproducing machines as well as musical instruments.Also, it is to be understood that while I have shown and described a seashell, any form of shell, artificial or otherwise, of a similar natureis within the contemplation of my invention, and I do not wish to berestricted to the form shown or described except as defined in theappended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a sound repro ducing means, a conduit for soundwaves from said means, and a convolute sea shell having an inletaperture in communication with said conduit, and. an outlet for thesound wavesto permit emission of sound I waves transmitted to said inletaperture.

2. In combination with a sound reproducing means, a conduit for soundwaves from said means, and a convolute sea shell having an apertureleading from the inner whorl thereof, said conduit being incommunication with said aperture and thereby said inner whorl, saidshell having an outlet for sound waves transmitted to said aperture.

3. The combination in a sound reproducing instrument, of a convolute seashell connected to the reproducing element of said instrument andpierced at its small end to provide an inlet for the sound wavesemanating from said element,'the naturally ocing instrument of aoonvolute sea shell incurring opening at the large end of said terposedin the sound passage of said instrushell forming an outlet for saidsound Waves, ment in such wise that the sound waves may 10 said shellserving to amplify the sound and pass therethrough. 5 to improve thetone quality thereof during In testimony whereof, I have subscribed itspassage therethrough. my name.

4:. The combination in a sound reproduc- ROBERT L. POE.

